Gallery: 10 things to know about Pope Francis

The new pope never lived in the church mansion in Buenos Aires, preferring a simple bed in a downtown room that was heated by a small stove. For years, he took public transit around the city.

HO
/ AFP/Getty Images

Bergoglio, who has spent nearly his entire career at home in Argentina, is the first pontiff from the Americas.Peter Macdiarmid
/ Getty Images

When Bergoglio (left) stated that gay adoptions discriminate against children, Argentine President Cristina Fernandez (right) compared his tone to "medieval times and the Inquisition."HO
/ AFP/Getty Images

In a lifetime of teaching and leading priests in Latin America, which has the largest share of the world's Catholics, Bergoglio has shown a keen political sensibility as well as a self-effacing humility, according to his official biographer, Sergio Rubin. His personal style is the antithesis of Vatican splendor.Natacha Pisarenko
/ AP

Bergoglio (right) is known for modernizing an Argentine church that had been among the most conservative in Latin America.Andrew Medichini
/ AP files

Bergoglio had a lung removed due to infection when he was a teenager.HUGO VILLALOBOS
/ AFP/Getty Images

Bergoglio’s critics accuse him of failing to stand up publicly against the country's military dictatorship from 1976-1983, when some opponents of the military faced torture, death and kidnappings.Natacha Pisarenko
/ AP

Pope Francis (right) reportedly finished second in the 2005 conclave that produced Benedict (left) — who last month became the first pope to resign in 600 years. He also participated in conclave that elected Pope Benedict.OSSERVATORE ROMANO
/ AFP/Getty Images